GOD HAS SPOKEN TO THE FATHERS The writer was so full of his subject that he did not take the time to extend the usual greetings or identify himself. Rather, he launched into a sentence four verses long. In that sentence, he completely previews the letter's subject matter. His purpose is to demonstr... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HAS SPOKEN IN THESE LAST DAYS God changed His spokesman in these last days, that is, the days of the gospel dispensation. As James D. Bales points out, the contrast is between the time when God delivered His authoritative word through the prophets and the time when He spoke through His Son to u... [ Continue Reading ]
SHINING WITH THE GLORY OF GOD That Jesus was, and is, God come down to earth must be. His glory was testified to by the Father and the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). He shines forth with the glory that is the glory of the Father (Colossians 1:15; John 1:14). Jesus is God's "express i... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRIST IS SUPERIOR Jesus is the author of redemption. While on earth, He was lower than the angels (2:9). Lightfoot translates Hebrews 1:4; "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs." Jesus was lower than the angels while on earth. He resumed... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S STATEMENTS SHOW CHRIST IS SUPERIOR Christ's superiority to the angels can be seen in statements God has made about Him. For instance, Psalms 2:7 is quoted by the writer of Hebrews in 1:5 and by Paul in Acts 13:33. In Acts 13:1-52, Paul points to the resurrection as the time Jesus was begotten... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD MADE JESUS A KING God causes His angelic messengers to be changed into whatever form suits His purpose (Hebrews 1:7; Psalms 104:4). They are simply servants to do God's bidding. Jesus' greatness is seen in His kingship (Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:1-2; Psalms 45:6-7; Ezekiel 6:12-13). It... [ Continue Reading ]